Chapter 3, Peter Rabbit Summary and Analysis

Chapter 3 opens with Beatrix in her early twenties; Bertram chose to be an artist, but Beatrix had no similar choice. Bertram's art focuses on the Scottish countryside. Most of the family, save Mrs. Potter, was quite interested in art themselves. Beatrix's diary contains many comments on famous paintings, some quite critical. She preferred depictions of nature, as did her brother. She often drew herself, but most as a naturalist would draw, spending hours on small details. Beatrix also became interested in geology and fungi.

Beatrix even considered illustrating a book on fungi, but in 1896, her uncle Roscoe, decided to schedule a meeting with the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens and some others and invited her along. Many of the botanists disliked her drawings as they were amateur. However, Beatrix had also formed her own botanical theories...